Shipping package for pipe lengths and fittings



Nov. 18, 1958 s. c. NORTHINGTON, JR., ETAL 2,350,772

SHIPPING PACKAGE FOR PIPE mnc'ms AND FITTINGS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 24. 1956 IN VEN TORI: SAMUEL G. NORTHINGTON JR.

BY JAMES D. MARTIN flan? ATTORNEY Nov. 18, 1958 s. c. NORTHINGTON, JR, ETAL 2,860,772;

SHIPPING PACKAGE FOR PIPE LENG'lI-IS AND FITTINGS Filed Aug. 24. 1956 3 onsets-Sheet 2 INVENTORJ' SAMUEL C.NORTH|NGTON JR.

ATTORNEY Nov. 18, 1958 s. c. NORTHINGTON, JR.. ETAL 2,860,772

SHIPPING PACKAGE FOR PIPE LENGTHS AND FITTINGS Filed Aug. 24. 1956 I 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 7

FIG. 8

FIG.9

FIG. I04

FIG. I2

FIG. I3 30 FIG. l4

L 36 2" |5 INVENTORSI SAMUEL c. NORTHINGTON JR.

JAMES D.MARTIN ATTORNEY United States Patent SHIPPING PACKAGE ro PIPE LENGTHS AND FITTINGS Samuel C. Northingtdn, Jr., Lookout Mountain, and James D. Martin, Chattanooga, Tenn., assignors to Gombustion Engineering, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application August 24, 195'6,Sei-ial No. 605383 Claims. c1. 206- 65) This invention relates broadly to packaging, and is more specifically concerned with a shipping assembly of cast iron soil pipe lengths and the soil pipe fittings which are ordinarily associated therewith. I,

Heretofore according to general practise, most pipe fittings have been commercially shipped in bulk, some in Wooden crates or other containers or merely tied together with wire into bundles. They were thus shipped by the manufacturer to the dealer or retailer in lots separated from the pipe lengths or mixed togther indiscriminately in the cars, trucks or barges. This procedure necessitated the separation of the different types of fittings by the customer upon arrival of the shipment. Furthermore this procedure entailed the need for building storage bins for the fittings and required additional handling of the fittings when placing them into and removing them from the storage bins. In addition the manual handling of the castings in this manner caused appreciable losses due to breakage and pilferage. In short, these former practises of shipping and storing soil pipes and fittings were very expensive and uneconomical. It was a recognition of these problems, difiiculties, and shortcomings of the prior practises in this field which led to the conception and development of the present invention.

Accordingly the primary object of the present invention is the aim of overcoming the above noted ditficulties by" providing a novel unitary package containing a number of pipe lengths and appropriate fittings therefor. One of the more specific objects of the invention is to reduce by an appreciable amount the man hours required in the loading of soil pipe and fittings and the costs thereof.

Another object of the invention is to eliminate the need of providing and maintaining bins for soil pipe fittings in connection with the shipping and storage thereof.

Still another object of the invention is to eliminate individual handling of pipes and fittings before, during and after shipment so that breakage and pilferageis greatly reduced.

A further object is to permit in the shipping of soil pipe and fittings the use of conventional loading and handling facilities such as slings, cranes, riets, grabs, forks" and lift trucks or other powered handling trucks.

An additional object of the invention is to make economical use of floor spaceand loading space in trucks, cars and barges as well as in warehouses or open storage yards,- in conneetion with the shipping and storing of soil pipe and fittings.

A still further object of the invention is to utilize in the construction of the soil pipe installation the material which is made use of in forming the walls of the shipping package.

A still further object is to permit separation of various t pes of fittings in individiia'lly marked packa es for reaiy" idiitificatieii, for estimating weights, and for in- Anottif eejec'tyotttie Invention is re permit shipment in separateeerhpartmeats oftliedifferent types of fittings 2,860,772 Patented Nov. 18 1958 ice . 2 such as elbows, crosses Ts reducers, plugs, otfse'ts, traps, etc., by providing partition walls within the package.

Still another objeclt of theinvention is to provide a package in which a plurality of pipe lengths are cooperatively associatedwith end, panels or bulkheads to form an elongated. tubular casing which contains the pipe fittings. W I r A further object of the invention is to provide a unitary shipping assembly which is rugged and durable and 'can easily bel'stacked. I I I An additional object of-t he invention is to provide a unitary shipping assembly of soil pipe and fittings where,- in the component parts jare interlocked against "enlarged pipe end portions toprev'ent spreading 'of the end walls and dislodging of the pipes when subject to vibration while being shipped. I

Anadded object isl to provide a unitary shipping pack age which is easy to assemble, low in cost; a convenience to the manufacturer, the dealer'and ultimate user alike:

Still further objects and advantages of the present in-" vention will appear as the description-hereof proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends the invention then eonsistsof the packaging means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims; the annexed drawing and. the following description setting forth in detail certain means for carry ing out the invention, such disclosed means illustrating; however, but a few of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In the drawing; I I I Fig. 1 is an isometric view of the completed shipping assembly. I

Fig. 2 is an isometric view of the shipping assembly with the top-sidelayer of pipe lengths not applied;

Fig. ,3 is an isometric view of the shipping assembly only partially assembled, it: e, without the pipefittings, and showing compartments to hold various types of fittings. I r

Fig. 4 is an isometric view of theship'ping assembly shown in a very early stage of assemblage."

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the partially assembled shipping assembly shown in conjunction with a wooden form or fixture used to facilitate erection of the assembly:

Fig; 6. is a sectional-elevationof the assembly and fir";- ture taken on line 66 of Fig. -5.

Figs. 7 and 8 show pairs of double hub pipe lengths with the pipes arranged side by side in the hereindis'closbd in ventive manner of constructing the walls of thesh'ipp'ing assembly, with Fig. 7 showing alternatepipes beingdi's placed longitudinally.

Figs. 9, 10;'11, 12 and 13 disclbseo'ur invention in somewhat different forms. These illii'strationsare similar to Fig. 7 withresp'ecftolongitudinal displacement, how ever they differ therefrom in that Fig.9 shows two single I hub pipes in place of doublehub pipes; Figr'lO shows the in least one doublehub pipe, is us ed with two single,

without flanges. I

hub pipes, the aegis hub, pipes being shown with or Fig. 15 shows an end view of a shipping assembly; utilizing groups of tubes as disclosed in Fig. 14, andtaken on line 15-45 of Fig. 14, p A

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, the shipping assembly in its completed form comprises a baseor bottom wall 10, two side walls 12 and 14, a top wall 16, two end walls 13 and 20, all forming a boxlike container, and pipe fittings 22 occupying the space inside the container.

The tubular Walls 10. 12, 14 and 16 may be constructed of double huh pipe lengths 24 and/or single hub pine lengths 26. These are generally disposed in side by side relation. various arrangements thereof being shown in F1gs.7 throu h 15.

As illustrated in Fi s. 7 and 8 double hub nine 24 has a body portion 28 which terminates at both ends in enlarged end portions taking the form of hub 30 having a peri heral shoulder 32. {I

As illustrated in Figs. 9 and 14, the sin le hub nine 26 has a body portion 34 which may terminate in one or two enlarged end porti ns, i. e., either a hub 36 only at one end as shown in Fig. 14, or a hub 36 at one end and a flange 38 at theother end. formin peripheral shoulders 40 and 42 respectively as shown in Fig. 9.

In constructin the nine walls of double hub nines. the pines are preferably disposed in side by'side re ation as indicated in Fig. 7. so that the perinhery of hub 30 of one plne contacts the body nortion 28 of the adiaceut nine. Both nine len ths are dis laced lon itudinall until the hub end 33 of each nine bears against the hub shoulder 32 of the adiacent nine.

End walls 18 and 20 respectively are then placed a ainst the hub shoulder 32L of one pipe and shoulder 32R of the adiacent pipe.

The pressure exerted by nine fittings 22 when placed between end walls 18 and 20. as shown in Fig. 2. will cause end wal s 18 and 20 to be locked in nlace a ain t the respective shoulders of the pines forming Walls 10. .12. 14 and 16. This will revent the spreading apart of the end Walls or shiftin of the pines with respect to each other during shinment when the assembly may be subiected to considerable vibration and bouncing such as is experienced on a truck or freight car.

It may be desirable on occasion to assemble the double hub nines in the manner indicated in Fig. 8. i. e. without longitudinal displacement so that the'hub peripheries of one nine contact the hub nerinheries of the adiacent nines. End walls 18 and 20 are then p aced a ainst'sh ulders 32.

In constructing the nine walls-of single hub nines the pines may be .disnosedin side by side relation. as illustrated in Fig. 9. Or they ma be arran ed in altern te right hand and left hand positions as shown in Fi 10. In each case the nerinheries of hub 36 and/or flan e 38 of one nine contacts the body nortion 34 of the adiacent pine. In Fig. 9 both nines are disnlaced lonuitudinallv until the hub end 41 of the one nine bears a inst the hub shoulder 40 of the adiacent nine. And in Fi 10 both nines are displaced lon itudinally until the hub end 41 of the one nine bears a ainst the flan e shoulder 2 of the adjacent nine. End walls 18* and 20 re pectively are then nlaced against hub shoulder 401. and 'flan e shoulder 42 in the Fi 9 arran ement. and a ainst hub shoulder 40L and hub shoulder 40R in the Fig. 10 arran ement. In either case the walls and pines are locked into position by the pressure of fittings 22 as earlier herein, described.

Figs. 11, 12 and 13 show arrangements of nines for constructing the walls of the herein disclosed shipping assembly. which are made up of double hub nines and single hub nines. Thus in Fig. 11 the nines are of equal length and the flange end 43 of the sin le hub nine 26 contacts the hub shoulder 32 of the double hub pine 24, and the hub face 33 of the double hub pipe 24 contacts the hub shoulder 40 of the single hubpipe 26. In Figs. 12 and 13 similar arrangements are shown except that in Fig. 12 the single hub pipe is shorter and in Fig. 13 longer than the double hub pipe.

In all of the above arrangements shown in Figs. 11, 12 and 13 the end walls 18 and 20 are placed so that they bear against the shoulders 40L, 42 and 32R of-hubs 30- and 36 respectively.

In Fig. 14 an arrangement of pipes, is shown wherem one double hub pipe is used in conjunction with two single a cross section through a shipping package assembled in accordance with this arrangement. As can be noted from Fig. 14 the end walls 18 and 20 will bear against the hub" shoulders 40L and 32R respectively.

While other arrangements of pipe lengths, not herein shown, are possible in constructing the package walls of pipe lengths having enlarged ends in accordance with the inventive principle herein disclosed, a preferred method" of assembling the inventive shipping package will now be described in terms of an assemblage wherein double hub pipe lengths are used throughout in constructing the tubular walls thereof.

For the sake of expediency a form or fixture S may be employed as indicated in Figs. 5 and 6. Fixture S is preferably made of wood and comprises four upright brackets, two right hand brackets 44R and two left hand brackets 44L, suitably spaced and united by horizontal supporting members 46 and 48. Each bracket has 21 facing surface 541. The surface 50 of the right hand brackets 44L is spaced therefrom a suitable distance W. This distance is determined by the number of pipes which form the floor 10 or top 16 of the shipping package. Two wooden runners 52 are supported on and united with wooden blocks 54 with a steel band 56 or wire placed between runner 52 and blocks 54 as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Two sub-assemblies of runners 52, blocks 54 and steel band 56 suitably spaced between pairs of brackets 44R and 44L serve as a support for the bottom layer 10 of pipes 24. These pipe are arranged in alternate positions as shown in Figs. 4 and 7 with the pipe ends bearing against the respective shoulders as earlier described. Brackets 44R and 44L are so spaced that their faces 50 will touch the periphery of the outermost pipes.

The next step consists in placing end walls 18 and 20 which are preferably made of wood in an upright position and against the innermost shoulders 32L and 32R of pipes 24 as shown in Fig. 4. While these walls are held in upright position by suitable means not shown, the side walls 12 and 14 are assembled by inserting pipe lengths into the open spaces 60 between walls 18 .and 20 and bracket faces 50. This is illustratively shown in Figs. 3 and 6.

In some cases it may be desirable to complete the unitary shipping assembly without top layer 16 of pipe lengths by placing the pipe fittings 22 inside the container and fastening steel straps 56 over wooden side runners 58, as shown in Fig. 2.

Also it may be desirable to separate the fittings with respect to type or size and place each type or size in a separate compartment. For this purpose the container may be provided with one or more partition walls 19 as indicated in dot and dash lines in Figs. 3 and 5.

If the container is to be completely enclosed, a top layer 16 of pipe lengths is provided with the corresponding wooden runner 62 before the steel straps 56 are fastened about the package, as illustrated in Fig. 1.

To accommodate the lifting arms or fork of a lift truck blocks 54 are of a suitable size and are suitably spaced, so that access can be had to the assembled package from any side. I

While the invention has herein been described in connection with soil pipe lengths and fittings, the invent on can with equally beneficial results be applied to shipplng assemblies of pipes and fittings or accessories used for other purposes.

What we claim is:

1. A unitary package containing pipe fittings and comprising a tubular casing surrounding said fittings, said casing being formed of parallelly aligned p1pe lengths having protuberances, said package including end walls for closing each end of said tubular casing, said walls being pooperatively associated with said pipe protuberances in locked relation to provide a container, said pipe fittings being confined in said container, and girding means holding the pipe lengths and end walls in assembled relation.

2. A unitary package containing pipe fittings and com prising side, top and bottom walls having adjacently disposed edges, said walls being formed of parallelly aligned pipe lengths with protuberances at their ends, said package including end walls extending transversely between said side, top and bottom walls cooperatively associated with said pipe lengths and disposed in locking relation with said protuberances to provide a container casing, said pipe fittings being confined in said container and girding means holding the pipe lengths, pipe fittings and walls in assembled relation.

3. A unitary package containing pipe fittings and having side, top and bottom walls with respectively adjacent edges, said walls being formed of parallelly aligned pipe lengths with enlarged end portions, said package including end walls extending crosswise between said named Walls adjacent the ends of said pipes and cooperatively associated with said pipe end portions in locking relation thereto to provide a container casing, said pipe fittings being confined in said container and exerting a pressure against said end walls, and girding means holding the pipe lengths, pipe fittings and end Walls in assembled relation.

4. A unitary package containing pipe fittings and comprising spaced outer walls formed of parallelly disposed uniform pipe lengths having enlarged end portions, said package including end walls extending between said outer Walls; cooperatively associated therewith to form a container casing, said end walls butting up against the inside shoulders of said enlarged end portions, said pipe fittings being confined in said container and exerting pressure against said end walls, and girding means holding the pipe lengths, pipe fittings, and end walls in assembled relation.

5. A unitary shipping package containing pipe fittings and parallelly spaced top and bottom walls and side walls formed of uniform pipe lengths provided with an enlarged pipe hub at each end, said package including end panels disposed at the ends and between said walls and cooperatively associated with said top, bottom and side walls formed of said pipe lengths and butting up against the inside shoulders of said hubs to form a box, said pipe fittings being confined in said box and exerting pressure against said panels, and girding means holding the pipe lengths, pipe fittings, and panels in assembled locked relation.

6. A six sided shipping package enclosing a space containing pipe fittings and comprising parallelly disposed pipe lengths having enlarged end portions with peripheral shoulders, said pipe lengths forming four outer sidewalls of said package; two oppositely arranged panels forming the remaining two outer Walls, said panels bearing against the inside shoulders of said enlarged end portions; said pipe lengths and said panels constituting a casing; said pipe fittings acting in forcing said panels against said shoulders; and girding means securing said pipe lengths, pipe fittings and panels in assembled locked relation.

7. An elongated shipping package containing pipe fittings and pipe lengths having enlarged end portions with peripheral shoulders; two oppositely spaced end panels forming the two end walls of said package; parallelly disposed pipe lengths arranged to form pipe walls about the periphery of said panels, said periphery being in close contact with the said pipe walls and with said peripheral pipe shoulders; said pipe fittings being confined within said walls and between said panels, said fittings exerting a normal gravitational pressure against said panels and indirectly against said peripheral pipe shoulders; and girding means securing said pipe lengths and end panels in assembled relation.

8. A many sided shipping assembly containing pipe fittings and comprising a plurality of pipe lengths in confining relation to said pipe fittings, each pipe length having a body portion terminating in two enlarged end portions of diameters larger than the diameter of said body portion, thereby forming peripheral shoulders on each end of said pipe body, the right hand shoulder being of dilferent configuration than the left hand shoulder; two spaced panels constituting two opposing end walls of said assembly; at least three other walls of said assembly being constructed of parallelly aligned pipe lengths, said lengths being arranged in alternate right hand and left hand positions with respect to said right and left hand shoulders, and longitudinally displaced with the outside edge of the right hand end portion of one pipe contacting the body portion of the adjacent pipe and butting up against the right hand shoulder thereof, and the outside edge of the left hand end portion of the adjacent pipe contacting the body portion of said one pipe and butting up against the left hand shoulder thereof; said spaced panels being in contacting relation with the body portions of said pipe lengths and butting up against the shoulders of at least three enlarged end portions thereof; said pipe walls and end panels constituting a shipping box, said pipe fittings being contained within said box; and girding means to secure said pipe lengths, pipe fittings and end panels in assembled relation.

9. A unitary package containing pipe fittings and having top, bottom and side walls formed of parallel pipe lengths having protuberances, said pipe lengths being arranged in side by side relation, said package including opposing end walls cooperatively associated with said pipe protuberances in locked relation to provide a container casing, at least one partition wall dividing the interior of said container into compartments, said pipe fittings being confined in said container within said compartments and girding means holding the pipe lengths and end walls in assembled relation.

10. A unitary package as defined in claim 9 wherein the pipe fittings are separated as to type or size with respect to the different compartments.

Caldwell Apr. 26, 1887 Wilson Oct. 18, 1955 

